Sailing in Turkey

We are sure you have heard or you know that Sailing in Turkey is so special. It is just NOT so much about sailing itself but also the amazing charm of Turkey, hospitality of people, delightful secluded bays, spectacular historical sites all around the Aegean coast and the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, intimate villages and modern towns around make Turkey very special and UNIQUE.

The maritime history of Turkish coast goes back almost as far as the history of the sail itself. In fact, the Underwater Archaeological Museum in Bodrum presently houses the remains of the world’s oldest known shipwreck, discovered outside the small seaside village of Kas.

Turkey is a very blessed country as such that it is surrounded by turquoise clear waters on it’s three sides. The Mediterranean sea on the south, The Aegean Sea on the west and the Black Sea up north. This characteristics make Turkey one of the best sailing regions in the world. The other plus to this is that the West Coast of Turkey is just a few miles from most Greek Islands.

The region has well-equipped marinas usually rated the best in the Mediterranean region. They are so strategically situated and built which makes them so convenient for getting provisions, going shopping and dine in the restaurants. They are also s close to number of ancient historical sites where you can easily go and explore if interested.

We are located in Marmaris, the yachting center of Turkey, the most attractive sailing and vacation resort in the area. The reason we love Marmaris she is geographically located right in the intersection of all the Mediterranean Sea and the Aegean. Marmaris just by itself is enough to explore sailing but if you want to explore further, Greek Islands are just around the corner and you will find Antalya, Fethiye, Gocek, Kas, Kalkan etc to the east and Bodrum, Datca, Izmir, Istanbul to the north.

Sailing and Travel Season in Turkey

The weather in Turkey is lovely from April through mid-October and very suitable for sailing. Turkey offers the longest sailing season in the Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea.

Your Arrival and Airport Transfers

As mentioned Marmaris and the surrounding areas are the best for sailing. The airport that serves this region is the DALAMAN AIRPORT which serves most of the airlines from many different cities. Dalaman airport is very centrally located and this allows you to chose any sailing town in Turkey. We can arrange your transfer and you can make reservations here at Dalaman Airport Transfers Bookings.

Destination airport is located in Dalaman, which is served by airlines from many cities.
We will organize on your behalf the transfer from Dalaman to our charter base in Marmaris.

Passport and License

To sail in Turkish waters the skipper or the captain must have and provide sailing license for piloting the vessel for pleasure on sea waterways. To enter Turkey on any kind of boat you (passengers) will need a passport or a personal Identification card.

In addition to above documents, to sail in Turkish waters, you will also need a “transit log” which will be provided by your choice of sailing company.

Wind and Weather

Turkish coastline and the Greek Islands has the typical Mediterranean climate. The hottest months being June through August (hottest), the temperature ranges between 28 and 35°C. The sun shines about 300 days/year. Most of the time even in October and November, this region of Turkey is still perfect for great sailing.

Wind characteristics in Turkey is very suitable for sailing. Combined with the Mediterranean Sea characteristics it created a fantastic environment for sailing and sailing lifestyle. This Aegean region around Marmaris is affected by the MELTEMI winds during most of the summer months. Meltemi winds blows along the coast, and the further you go west you come closer to the area that most influenced by this strong Meltemi wind. That means most likely you will have to tack a lot when sailing westward from the coast. Between 13:00 p.m. and 17:00 p.m. meltemi wind is in full strength. Meltemi winds are usually in effect mid-June through September. At that time frame it is around 25 knots and it rarely exceeds 25 knots wind speed. Usually the water temperature is between 25°C and 28°C.

If you have less sailing experience or just learning, we recommend to sail in the region to the east where the wind is considerably weaker.

SAILING to GREECE

Cross border sailing to Greek Islands and Greece is very common and popular. It is important to note that when entering Greece, you must first go to “the port of entry”. Of course there will be customs clearance procedures that you need to follow. We will be more than happy to assist you with that and provide valuable insider tips.

15 Comments

Hi
We would like to come bareboat sailing for 1 week from 9th July. There are 2 of us, my husband has day skipper and I have comp crew, we have sailed flotillas for last 3 years. We will fly into Dalaman, and will be staying on for another week in Akyaka, which we will arrange.
Do you have availability and how much for each size yacht??
Also can you book flights or do we??
Many thanks
Vicki Marshall

I never imagined that this part of this world can hold such eye cooling beauty and can offer such unforgettable travelling experience. I visited the Marmaris with a close friend who visited the place for the third time, or you can say he brought me here forcibly. However, now I am saying that I will be thankful to him for whole life for bringing me in Marmaris for sailing in Turkey.
However, sailing through the water of Marmaris was the most remarkable part of my journey, as I thoroughly enjoyed the cruise ride with some funny activities like jumping from the boat swimming in the open seawater, trying to catch dolphins and spending nights in deserted islands. I would love to be at the place again for sailing in Turkey.

I heard a lot stories about Marmaris from my father, as he visited the place several times especially for sailing in Turkey. For a few personal reason I could not visit the place before. But this time I have managed two weeks vacation from my company and fled away to the Marmaris.
As directed by father, I booked a local guide and he helped to get a one-week ticket for gulet ride. However, the most incredible movement for me was, touching the dolphins that were swimming along with our gulet. I would like to visit the place again.

I have touched the water of Mediterranean for several times during my visit in Europe, the pleasure and joy I have availed from the water of Marmaris was unforgettable.
Turkey was not new place for me as I visited the country for business purpose many times, but this time I went their just to enjoy the sailing in Turkey.
My hotel manager suggested me to take gulet ride, which was available at that moment. However, I have seen Mediterranean region many times but the beauty I have seen in Marmaris was amazing and quite different from entire Europe. This was an exclusive experience of sailing in Turkey.

I never thought about visiting Turkey in my lifetime, but one of my chose friends who has just returned from the Marmaris, told about the heart throbbing beauty and its mesmerizing culture. I did not believe him first time and later checked it online. I was stunned and decided to visit the spot in last summer for sailing in Turkey.
However, my aim was to enjoy the sea ride in the Marmaris, which I heard most from my friend. I spent 7 days sailing in Turkey or you can say in Marmaris and simply fall in love with its beauty.

My wife had a business tour in the region before and this time she requested me to give her a company. I heard a lot of stories about Marmaris from her and she told me that this time she wants to have a gulet sailing on the Marmaris water.
We have not awaited much to get one-week tickets for us for the gulet ride. As per our plan, we started our voyage on a sunny morning and sailed through pristine blue water of the sea. On our way to some unknown and unseen places through water, we have thoroughly enjoyed the eye-cooling view Aegean and Mediterranean Sea and their mind pleasing surroundings. However, the most entertaining part was my jump off in the open water and swim for hours. To cut it short, it was a lifetime sailing experience for me.

I heard a lot about sailing on the water of Marmaris from my Turkish friend who is also my colleague. However, I visited the spot with my Turkish friend last summer and found it more gorgeous than whatever I heard about it.
As our mission was to enjoy the sea ride, we left the land quickly and boarded on a luxury cruise. We were sailing through the crystal clear water of Marmaris and later got into the Mediterranean. In the middle of our journey, we had the opportunity to see those beautiful green floating islands closely and the best thing was that we spent a few nights sleeping on those islands. Overall, it was an amazing experience. Go for sailing in Marmaris, Turkey.

Marmaris has stunning coastline which is breath taking. I was spellbound when I boarded the cruise and it started to sail in scheduled time. I was deeply absorbed in sailing when the cruise halted at Greek and Turkey islands. It is worth to watch the inlets, coves, beaches and bays.

As I am a photographer, I got an opportunity to capture some pictures in my camera. During the halt, I enjoyed swimming in pristine blue water. Regarding the hospitality, the cruise offered superb service including classy accommodation with modern recreational gears, lip smacking recipes, beverage service and many other things that are beyond words. Just go for sailing and you will not incur loss.

We saw some videos of people sailing on the blue water of Marmaris and decided to visit the spot with my family in out next vacation and I did so. While watching the video I thought it must be too costly to avail such sea ride, but after visiting Marmaris, I found it is quite affordable.
However, as that was our first sailing trip in the region, we booked for one-week ticket but later we found, a two-week booking would have been ideal. Apart from the natural beauty of the Mediterranean Sea and its surroundings, the most remarkable experience for me was swimming with dolphins and touching them by my naked hand. We would definitely like to visit the spot again in our next vacation.

For me it was an ideal holiday experience and I never thought that I could enjoy my vacation like the way I did. Along with me, my wife also was wondered to see the natural beauty of Marmaris and its fresh water. We were lucky enough to get ticket for cruise ride, as sailing on a cruise during the holiday season remains in peak of demand and you cannot expect a one-week cruise ticket easily.
During our seven-day voyage, we travelled through the Aegean Sea with Mediterranean one. I can remember we were too close to those small floating Greek islands and watching the starry sky in the night was amazing and that is why people say that discovering the area through cruise sailing ride is the best.

Sailing over the blue water of Marmaris was an ultimate experience for me and I will not forget the pleasure I got during my stay in Marmaris. However, this was not my maiden visit in the region, but that was the first time I thoroughly enjoyed my water ride on a traditional wooden cruise.
The pristine water of Marmaris Bay reenergized me and those spectacular ancient relics were just amazing to stare at. The most remarkable moment for me was my swimming in the crystal clear water of Marmaris and I had tried to see the seabed as far as I could. You must avail the experience of sailing in Marmaris. Highly recommended!